Track planning junkies

[coachC]

I was wondering if any of you track planning software junkies could turn Kent J. Johnson's Turtle Creek Central into a 4.5 x 6.5 foot layout... seen here...


Amazon.com: Basic Model Railroad Track Plans: Small Starter Layouts You Can Build (Model Railroader Books): Books: Kent J. Johnson

page 43

click look inside book and type in "turtle creek". It is the only part of the book available for viewing.

I would like to see the 45 degree crossing removed and that middle section just becoming a spur. I would also like to see a passing siding on the right hand side, and a two track spur on the bottom left.

I've tried my hand at the software stuff and I just can't get it. I just thought this might give someone a small challenge for fun.

 

[Colton_modeler]

As much as I'd enjoy helping you out with this, I just don't have the time right now, but I'd like to throw a related question out there as well - any of you other 'track planning junkies' draw your plans in AutoCAD instead of one of the track-planning softwares?

 

[Nomad]

Hey coach, i'll play but I don't have an account there. Can you do a save as on the picture and e-mail it to me?

Loren

 

[Squidbait]

Do you mean this plan?

 

[Squidbait]

Turtle Creek Southern, expanded to 4.5 x 6.5, with a passing siding on the south side and no crossing.

 

[Squidbait]

OK, revised with the siding where you wanted it:

 

[Squidbait]

OK, with the siding in the lower right added...

 

[Nomad]

You have been busy Squidbait.

Loren

 

[Squidbait]

You have been busy Squidbait.

Loren

Thanks, but nah... about an hour of fooling around with XtrkCAD.... would have done it sooner, but I wanted to keep the radii at a constant 18".

 

[coachC]

Squid,

Those are great. I really like the second one. I meant to call it the Turtle Creek Southern instead of Central in my first post. When I finally build a layout I just might use that second plan if you don't mind.

 

[Squidbait]

Coach,

Glad to help. That extra 6" in the width makes a lot of difference!

All those plans use Peco small radius turnouts, like the original plan... just so's you know!

 

[Santa Fe Jack]

As much as I'd enjoy helping you out with this, I just don't have the time right now, but I'd like to throw a related question out there as well - any of you other 'track planning junkies' draw your plans in AutoCAD instead of one of the track-planning softwares?

In designing my layout, I originally tried using Atlas RightTrack, but only for a basic prototyping, as it was too limited on the selection of turnouts.

I can't afford AutoCAD, but did the final (as-built) drawings in Corel DRAW. I will be using these as base drawings for adding electrical stuff.


You can see the difference in the software in the first two images at the website in my sig.

 

[TrainNut]

...any of you other 'track planning junkies' draw your plans in AutoCAD instead of one of the track-planning softwares?

I do but that's because I've usd AutoCad now for 10+ years as a drafter for a civil engineer, a structural engineer, and an architect. I use AutoCad for everything. Sheesh, I use it SOOOO much that a lot of times I find myself trying to use AutoCad commands in the real world... like the UNDO command!:mrgreen:

 

[Squidbait]

- any of you other 'track planning junkies' draw your plans in AutoCAD instead of one of the track-planning softwares?

Nope, for two reasons - time and money.

XtrkCAD is free (!!!) and while it has a steeper learning curve than say RTS, isn't nearly as complex as AC. So you're up and planning much faster.

While XtrkCad is only 2D, personally I think 3D is a nice luxury, (and a bit gimmick in MRR CAD) but a bit over-rated, and certainly not a necessity for good track planning.

 

[NSSD80MAC]

LOL, Train Nut... I too am a drafter and would love to use the Undo Command in the real world.

Dan

 

[Squidbait]

LOL, Train Nut... I too am a drafter and would love to use the Undo Command in the real world.

Dan

Kinda like The Retroactive Abortion Society? sign1